UG Nominations 2011: Users' Survey

Well guys, the results are in! Last week, you submitted your votes for the best and worst artists and albums of 2011, and with a little bit of Facebook magic, we tallied up the votes and will now announce the winners.
In some categories, the results were varied, illustrating the diverse taste of the UG community. Other categorieswell, let's say some results weren't particularly surprising.
Undoubtedly, 2011 has been an interesting year in rock and metal music; some bands seemed to do no wrong, while others should maybe take a mulligan for the year. And just like any other collection of 365 days, there was good music, bad music, and some downright horrendous tunes.
I'm Zach Pino from It's the End of the Week as We Know It, and I'll be your host for this classy, formal award ceremony/article. And believe it or not, I happen to have the winners sitting next to me in my apartment.
Surprisingly, the winners were all in Los Angeles, available, and willing to dress up in tuxedos and contribute to this feature. So as I announce the winners, I'll pass my laptop to them and they'll type a few words. Now, please adjust your bowties, take your seats, and get ready to find out the results of the 2011 UG Users Survey.

Best Rock/Metal Band of 2011

05. Avenged Sevenfold
04. Machine Head
03. Mastodon
02. Megadeth

01. Foo Fighters

It's hard to not love, or at least respect the Foo Fighters, and 2011 has definitely been one of the most successful years for the band - Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear. With a long list of output and achievements an internationally successful record, Grammy nominations, retrospective documentary, intimate garage tour, successful arena tours, seismic charting, religious protesting, and strangely hilarious homoerotic parody video it's almost as if the Foo Fighters couldn't mess up in 2011 if they tried.
So why are the Foo Fighters kicking so much ass these days? In addition to their unobjectionable sound and often goofy aesthetic, the band as a whole seems to promote the rock and roll purity that we crave; the Foo Fighters find no reason to "stay current" and appeal to contemporary-yet-fleeting rock trends simple, energetic, catchy, straightforward rock and roll is enough for them, and apparently, it's what the fans want too. Looking at the music video for "Walk" off their new record, "Wasting Light," you see a frustrated Dave Grohl reacting against the bullsh-t of modern society. He'd rather not deal with cell phones, Justin Beiber, and time-sucking traffic; all he wants to do is get to his band rehearsal and rock out, a sentiment many of us share.
Anyway, kudos to the Foo Fighters for winning the Best Band Category. I just waved Dave over here to type out a few words, but he's respectfully bowing out. What a humble guy! Moving on to Best Album

Best Album of 2011

01. Foo Fighters "Wasting Light"

No way! Best Artist and Best Album? What a feat.
"Wasting Light," the Foo's seventh studio album, sold 235,000 copies during its first week of sales and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, as well as #1 in many other countries. That, my friends, is not bad for a record that proudly boasted an all-analog recording approach amongst the majority of digitally recorded albums.
If the analog approach wasn't enough to satisfy the eardrums of longtime rock fans, "Wasting Light" featured acclaimed producer, Butch Vig, and even an appearance from Grohl's old bandmate, Krist Novoselic, which honored Grohl's early days in Nirvana and celebrated the spirit of real, organic-sounding rock music. On why Dave and Co. decided to go an analog route for the new record, in a recent interview, Grohl praised the honesty of analog recording versus the calculated and (arguably) overly-manipulated effect of digital recording processes: "We're not the greatest band in the world, but when we get together and we play, it sounds like us." What you hear on record, is exactly what they sound like live; and what that says to fans is that if they are going to pay to see the band live, they are going to get the real deal.
You want to hear what Mr. Grohl has to say, right? Of course, you do. I really had to coax Dave to sit at the keyboard and start typing. Here's Dave:
"Wow, UG community, thank you so much for the love this year. It's been an amazing ride and we're all so grateful for the fans that have bought the record and come to see us live. I'd also like to acknowledge the other bands that were up for best album; Mastodon, you guys wrote one hell of a record. Megadeth? Simply rules! Machine Head - still as heavy as ever, and Dream Theater, come on, those guys are some of the finest metal musicians we have the pleasure listening to. Maybe I can audition if Mike Mangini doesn't work out. Alright, later guys!"
Wow, such a nice dude; Dave just got up to grab some Kleenex for the guys who didn't win the past two categories. I didn't think the news would make some of them cry! Aw. Well, I guess they really value the input of the UG communityI didn't know our opinions held that much weight. Okay, well now that everyone except Dave is either crying or pouting, why not continue with the coveted category: Worst Album of 2011.

Worst Album of 2011

01. Lou Reed and Metallica "Lulu"

Surprise, surprise! Well, is it really? Earning a whopping 80% of your votes, the meandering, questionably legitimate earsore of a record, "Lulu," is now officially the Worst Album of 2011.
Much like other national tragedies, we remember exactly where we were when the first single, "The View," rang into our ear canals. We rolled our eyes and thought for a second that Metallica and Lou Reed were just playing a huge joke, thus becoming the Trolls of 2011. But no, "Lulu" is very real, an experiment that most likely began with good intentions, but horrifically derailed along the way. Bizarre press quotes from Lou Reed and Metallica, who basically hailed the album as an artistic work of sheer brilliance, did little to sway us from aversely reacting to this confusing record. Songs like "Pumping Blood" and "Iced Honey" became chores to listen to, and Lou Reed's rambling, often incoherent lyrics made us cringe with disbelief.
It really comes to no surprise that this particular album would be the most unpopular on UG. The reception was overwhelmingly negative, the only real arguments against it were, "if you don't like it, don't listen to it," or, "it's not a Metallica record, don't compare it as such" (we get that).
But we move on and look forward to the more promising Metallica EP, knowing that at least nothing this bad will come out in 2012but then again, you never know.
I'd now like to invite Lou Reed to the keyboard to address you guys; however, I'm not sure if this is exactly a good idea. Well, here's Lou
[Stares at his hands hovering above the keyboard for an uncomfortable 30 seconds]
"You don't understand the tortured genius of the record because you lack basic literacy skills. These young whippersnappers in Metallica are the best hefty metal band I've ever heard. You punks wouldn't know good music if it hit you on the head, dragged you into the forest and left you for dead, your body eventually becoming stiff and petrified, later to be fashioned into a sturdy table. I am Lou Reed, and I was in the Velvet Underground."
Thanks? Okay, we need to get back on track. Onto a more positive category: the UG Idol of 2011!

Idol of 2011

05. Slash
04. John Petrucci
03. Tosin Abasi
02. Dave Mustaine

01. Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl again?! Damn, either every man in here has a dude crush on Dave Grohl, or this poll was seriously rigged. Naw, it's well deserved. Dave Grohl is the guy you want to be your best friend. He rocks out, he's amiable, he's funny, and he doesn't take himself too seriously. What's not to like?
The Top 5 are also true idols Slash always proves to be one of the most recognizable icons for guitar playing; John Petrucci embodies the pinnacle of progressive metal and possibilities of precise, developed technique; Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders is a young, incredible innovator of the guitar, pushing the boundaries of the instrument and sure to have a bright career ahead of him; and Dave Mustaine, well, he's Dave! We like him. And you gotta give it up for Megadeth, still riding on the momentum they picked up since "Endgame."
Once again, here's Dave Grohl to thank you guys for the honor:
"Wow, I don't even know where to beginyour kindness has reallywhat the?...HEY!"
[Lou Reed shoves Dave and grabs laptop]
"Pumping BLOOD!!!! Pumping BLOOD!!! I actively DESPISE you!!!"
That's enough! This laptop is uninsured and I can't allow any physical altercations in my apartment. One more outburst, Lou Reed, and you're gone. Sit down!
Sorry about that. Rockstars
Okay, only two more categories remainlet's get this over with.

Most Hated Artist of 2011

05. Metallica
04. Courtney Love
03. Nickelback
02. Justin Beiber

01. Lou Reed

Ouch! Most Hated Artists and Worst Album? Not Lou Reed's finest year to say the least. And what a shockingly polar nature of this year's best and worst; on one end of the spectrum, you have the Foo Fighters honest, pure, likeable, fun rock music that doesn't take itself seriously and is respectful toward the fans. On the other end, you have the Metallica and Lou Reed "project" mostly pretentious, a little snobbish and too "experimental" to be enjoyed. And yes, I'm overtly dissing the record. Maybe this hosting gig is just wearing me down.
Okay, now Lou Reed just flipped off everyone in the room, said something about the ghost of a magnet (?) and stormed off. What a grouchy fellow.
Phew, just one more category. Then I can finally take off my damn tux, which is too tight in the crotch. What do you guys think will be the Most Eagerly Anticipated Event of 2012?

Most Eagerly Anticipated Event of 2012

05. Release of Slash's New Album
04. Release of Lamb of God's New Album, Resolution
03. Download Festival 2012 (feat. Metallica & Black Sabbath)
02. New Tool Album and Tour

01. Black Sabbath Reunion Album and Tour

Finally! Something that doesn't have to do with Lou Reed, Metallica or the Foo Fighters! It looks like there is going to be some fine music released in 2012. Personally, I'm already doing preemptive neck stretches so I can emphatically headbang to the new Lamb of God record in January. New Slash, new Tool, and most importantly, new SABBATH!!
After several months of will they/won't they surrounding the rumored reunion, Black Sabbath announced that they are set to record a new studio album, followed by a string of shows in Europe, including the 2012 Download Festival. To quote the wise Wayne Campbell, "excellent!"
And now, accepting the award for Most Eagerly Anticipated Event of 2012 is the Prince of Darkness, Mr. Ozzy Osbourne!
Ozzy?
"uh right, I said we're all excited for Sabbath bloody Sabbath, I mean who wouldn't want to watch me, Ozzy Osbourne it's going to be madness Toni Iommi, Bill Ward, the uh, other guy! We're just so excited. Peace and love to everyone at Ultimately Guitar, best wishes. It's going to be f-cking WILD!"
Brilliance. Man, Ozzy rules. Okay, so there you have it! You guys voted and those are the winners. On behalf of the UG Team, we'll see you all back here next year in 2012. Dammit, I'm gonna have to clean up the mess Lou Reed made
By Zach Pino

haha Hell yeah to Foo Fighters. That album sat in my stereo for a long time. the analog route was most definitely the way to go for them. The sound from the first second is so massive and deep, its a shame bands dont record that way anymore. I mean, Theres a lot of great sounding albums, but theres just a feeling that analog provides. They actually inspired me and my band to do our EP analog. Congrats FOO!!!!

Too much Foo for my tastes, but I suppose they earned it. Its not like they suck. Just not my cup of tea. I would have to disagree about Megadeth's "Thirteen" though. I was disappointed. it was ok at best.

I get sad while reading this... Everything's just so wrong... Where is this world gonna be in a few years if it goes on like this... The Path Of Totality is awesome, Avenged Sevenfold hasn't done a shit this year, where is trivium... I could go on forever pointing out wrongs... Oh, and I do not like foo fighters.....

This article was not a good display of music and news journalism. Yeah, the Foo Fighters are great and i love Dave as much as the next but you don't have to dick ride them just because of their name. Also, am I correct in understanding that you would rather listen to Justin Beiber, Limp Bizkit and Nickelback before Lulu?

I like foo fighters but Seriously the new foo fighters album wasn't that great. Good but not great. There were way better albums this year. Same with megadeth album was good but not great. Disapointing list. In previous years I really looked forward to this list, but thumbs down this year for me.

Am I the only one that thinks the foo fighters album is boring?? Then again, it is one of the only rock bands that get AirPlay alongside other pop shit on the radio, guess pop will always win with the masses.

"John Petrucci embodies the pinnacle of progressive metal and possibilities of precise, developed technique"
What, boring, drawn out songs with ambling, pointless soloing?
Congrats to the Foos, this was a great year for them.

Agree with Sabbath's reunion. Really looking forward to it.
And, although I like Foo Fighters, the ballsucking around them and Dave Grohl is getting really boring now. Wasting Light was a great album, but not the best of the year, IMO.

Obviously the new Korn, Limp Bizkit and Nickelback albums were going to be in the top 5 worst albums of the year. There were many worse albums than those three released this year, and I'd say that Korn's album was actually pretty damn good.

iljh wrote:
This article was not a good display of music and news journalism. Yeah, the Foo Fighters are great and i love Dave as much as the next but you don't have to dick ride them just because of their name. Also, am I correct in understanding that you would rather listen to Justin Beiber, Limp Bizkit and Nickelback before Lulu?

venom1stas wrote:
ive only heard of one or two foo fighter songs, but cant see how a thrash fan like me can listen to them (do they even have solos and if not why the **** are they winning on ultimate GUITAR)

Yes they have solo's and some pretty damn hard ones sometimes. Chris Schiflett is a very talented guitarist not only in technique, but composition. If you listened to more than just two songs than you would have never made such a ridiculous comment.

I like all the dumb shits ragging on UG for the choices when the first paragraph explains that it was a user survey. Maybe if you guys weren't too busy acting so hard you wouldn't have missed the poll.
And as for this...

venom1stas wrote:
ive only heard of one or two foo fighter songs, but cant see how a thrash fan like me can listen to them (do they even have solos and if not why the **** are they winning on ultimate GUITAR)

How bout try being a music fan instead of a fan of one genre? I'll go from listening to Megadeth to The Weepies, I like music, you're living in the 80's if you think a song needs a solo to be good. How's that perm treating you?

I'm really going against the grain here, but what the f*** is with all the NB hate? I really don't understand it. You're putting Bieber and Nickelback into the same category together? Really? UG users really need to get off the "Let's-hate-things-for-no-other-reason-than-for-the-sake-of- being-cool" bandwagon. It's annoying. Not gonna lie, I like Nickelback. They aren't in my top 10, or even 20, 30, or 40 list, but I like them. Compared to Dark Horse, Here and Now was fantastic. Get off your high horse.

TheSilverBeatle wrote:
I like all the dumb shits ragging on UG for the choices when the first paragraph explains that it was a user survey. Maybe if you guys weren't too busy acting so hard you wouldn't have missed the poll.
And as for this...
venom1stas wrote:
ive only heard of one or two foo fighter songs, but cant see how a thrash fan like me can listen to them (do they even have solos and if not why the **** are they winning on ultimate GUITAR)
How bout try being a music fan instead of a fan of one genre? I'll go from listening to Megadeth to The Weepies, I like music, you're living in the 80's if you think a song needs a solo to be good. How's that perm treating you?

Ya know, it is in my experience that guys that brag about how eclectic their musical tastes are are usually full of shit. Yes, what he said (or rather the WAY he said it) was stupid, but your response is worse. There is nothing worse than a pretentious hipster that feigns open mindedness so he can claim some false sense of moral superiority.
That being said..... new Anthrax album was album of the year for me.

why is everyone giving A7X a lot of crap, yeah they are a bit overated but they still are a good band and ive seen them live, they were amazing, im more dissapointed that korn was on the worst albums of the year, the album is pretty much 'see you on the other side' with more bass and occasional random sounds

iljh wrote:
This article was not a good display of music and news journalism. Yeah, the Foo Fighters are great and i love Dave as much as the next but you don't have to dick ride them just because of their name. Also, am I correct in understanding that you would rather listen to Justin Beiber, Limp Bizkit and Nickelback before Lulu?

Yes. Undoubtedly. Although the other three arent that good at all (IMO), Lulu was just unlistenable. If you're at a party, you arent gonna kill someone if JB comes on. It's a different story if Brandenburg Gate came on.

*AHEM* trivium in waves best album this year. And metallica and lou reed have really let us down this is only step 1 to justin beiber taking over i wud rather listen to lulu while playing russian roulette with my balls than listen to justin beiber

Great stuff Zach!
But I just want to say, the reason why Lulu is the "Worst album of 2011" is (In my opinion) ...it just is. There was so much hype surrounding it from Lou and Lars and it just didn't live up to it (to say the least). Of course Justin Bieber is probably the worst most hated piece of **** in music right now, but most UG users (including myself) went into that poll not thinking of Justin Bieber on a rock/metal website.
Cheers friends...here's to a great 2012.

I agree with the positive ones. Wasting Light is my favourite 2011 album and 13 comes shortly after.
But hey, Megadeth could have won at least one category, ha?
The Lou Reed stuff isn't even funny, and Lulu sucks a bit, but is not that pile of shit UGers say. It's art. Not really good art, but art. Some riffs are really cool.
And I can't believe that you dumb f***ers must mention Justin Bieber everywhere. You make him bigger than he should be. Just don't write Bieber Jokes or other Bieber-related shit, mkay?

I think what Lulu and Lou Reed has proven is that metal heads like being snobs, but don't like having others be snobs to them. Waaaa.

+11111. Exactly.
And the Lou Reed jokes are lame. If I was Lou, I might laugh off some of the criticism, but when braindead metalheads just WON'T let something go, especially if they weren't the target audience, you might get a little grouchy too. Lou is a legend who has way more classics than the majority of the metal bands (combined) that are praised by UG's metalhead readership.

Why is Justin Bieber on the list? I know we all hate him and love to talk about it, but since when does he even have a real guitar in his songs? This is "Ultimate Guitar", is it not? Also, I can't argue with the results in the good categories, but I would have liked to see Bodom or Iced Earth's '11 albums at least make the top 5, among others.

Sladey wrote:
If UG users honestly think that the Loutallica and Nickelback albums were worse than whatever Justin Bieber's catastrophe was called, then God help us all.

I think it's because we know we're gonna hate Nickelback and Bieber (and for damn good reason, they're awful) until the end of time, no matter what shit they do.
Metallica used to be this wonderful thing that 20 or so years ago, had there been a UG, would have swept these awards like the Foos did this year.
It's more of the downswing that we're disappointed about, not the quality.

Even though I do like the Foo's, Im not crazy about them. They're just as guilty as the next band for all their songs sounding way too similar. Seems like there's plenty of guys on here that would gargle Dave's balls. It's a little much.

UG is so generic and trite when it comes to lists. Justin Beiber is corporately produced music for little girls, why even bother not liking it? I mean if your favorite band is mastodon I have a hard time believing you've even really heard a Beiber song, I haven't. The Foo Fighters, really? I can't believe everybody gets so ****y over them, they're ok but mostly they're boring.

"You dont understand the tortured genius of the record because you lack basic literacy skills. These young whippersnappers in Metallica are the best hefty metal band Ive ever heard. You punks wouldnt know good music if it hit you on the head, dragged you into the forest and left you for dead, your body eventually becoming stiff and petrified, later to be fashioned into a sturdy table. I am Lou Reed, and I was in the Velvet Underground."
I think this just goes to show that Lou Reed doesn't like any of us because we lack the basic ummm right.. what word am I looking for here? Plebian skills to bow down to everything this guy thinks is great because he was in a good band once. Sorry Lou, I had literary skills until I read whatever you said about those stupid Plebs.

Tosin should've been "idol" in my opinion. But, at least it's now common knowledge that he's one of the best guitarists of our time. The rock/metal thing was a bit crappy though. Foo Fighters is understandable, and of course Mastadon will be on there, but what about Born of Osiris, Animals as Leaders, Bury Your Dead, or Children of Bodom?

i like some of these bands and i don't like some of them to be honest, and i expected that; everyone doesn't have to agree with me. however, one thing is for certain: tosin abasi got buried deep beneath other things in this article. the world needs to know of this man.

mustaine42 wrote:
I'm really going against the grain here, but what the f*** is with all the NB hate? I really don't understand it. You're putting Bieber and Nickelback into the same category together? Really? UG users really need to get off the "Let's-hate-things-for-no-other-reason-than-for-the-sake-of- being-cool" bandwagon. It's annoying. Not gonna lie, I like Nickelback. They aren't in my top 10, or even 20, 30, or 40 list, but I like them. Compared to Dark Horse, Here and Now was fantastic. Get off your high horse.

Cheeseman Jay wrote:
Obviously the new Korn, Limp Bizkit and Nickelback albums were going to be in the top 5 worst albums of the year. There were many worse albums than those three released this year, and I'd say that Korn's album was actually pretty damn good.

Ugh. I agreed with u up until u sed "Korn's album was actually pretty damn good."

For the most part, I agree with everything on this list.
Except for the fact that Worship Music was tons better than Th1rt3en (I still liked it) and Anthrax wasn't even in the top 5. I also didn't really care for A Dramatic Turn of Events, but that's me not being a Dream Theater fan so eh.

vppark2 wrote:
vppark2 wrote:
ElvenLord wrote:
Nickleback worse than Bieber? come on. At least they play instruments. they actually got one higher but still lol Nvm i was looking at most hated artist.

SGofawesome wrote:
For the most part, I agree with everything on this list.
Except for the fact that Worship Music was tons better than Th1rt3en (I still liked it) and Anthrax wasn't even in the top 5. I also didn't really care for A Dramatic Turn of Events, but that's me not being a Dream Theater fan so eh.
vppark2 wrote:
vppark2 wrote:
ElvenLord wrote:
Nickleback worse than Bieber? come on. At least they play instruments. they actually got one higher but still lol Nvm i was looking at most hated artist.Double post much? Haha

Could rock and metal have been divided into 2 different lists? It's just 4 metal bands and Foo Fighters....Well...thats 2 of the lists actually.
Also Best band and Album lists are pretty much the same appart from DT and A7x...
Nice to see the new Korn album on the list of 'worst albums' where it belongs and lulu...the other 3 just seem like bandwagon votes though.

The top 5 list was terrible, it's just perennial mainstream favorites and their mediocre releases this year (I'm not saying these are bad bands, only that they put out pretty boring material this year).
Really though, I love Mastodon, but The Hunter wasn't anywhere NEAR top 5 (or top 50, for that matter) albums released this year, let alone rock or metal albums.
Even though, like last year, the best releases were far-and-away non-rock releases, this is still a really shitty top 5 list. No Aesthethica? No Desanctification/777 Sects? No Celestial Lineage? No Atma?

apollokid wrote on 01/02/2012 - 105 pm / quote |
The top 5 list was terrible, it's just perennial mainstream favorites and their mediocre releases this year (I'm not saying these are bad bands, only that they put out pretty boring material this year).
Really though, I love Mastodon, but The Hunter wasn't anywhere NEAR top 5 (or top 50, for that matter) albums released this year, let alone rock or metal albums.
Even though, like last year, the best releases were far-and-away non-rock releases, this is still a really shitty top 5 list. No Aesthethica? No Desanctification/777 Sects? No Celestial Lineage? No Atma?

Arrgh! I'm so mad that -insert obscure, unheard of metal band here - lost because not enough people liked the band enough to click their mouses about 5 times in order to give them votes. This list is obviously crap because only bands that everyone knows about are ranked higher than bands that only I and my elitist friends are aware of. Does no one remember the rule that if music is popular, it's not good?

No one's gonna agree with me, but Scurillous was my album of the year. I think Protest the Hero in general this year have really stepped up there game and are starting to be able to be in the running of these bigger bands. My personal opinion though, and I know most of you will think it's wrong, because that's just how these things work.

hornet224 wrote:
Arrgh! I'm so mad that -insert obscure, unheard of metal band here - lost because not enough people liked the band enough to click their mouses about 5 times in order to give them votes. This list is obviously crap because only bands that everyone knows about are ranked higher than bands that only I and my elitist friends are aware of. Does no one remember the rule that if music is popular, it's not good?

Saying this is just as pretentious as anyone who says it seriously. Just because your opinion is that mainstream bands are the best bands doesn't mean everyone agrees, same to the opposite. No one really seems to agree with anyone else on these sorts of things.